Cytomegaloviruses in a Community of Wild Nonhuman Primates in Taï National Park, Côte D’Ivoire

Researchers identified six novel cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) in wild nonhuman primates from Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, with no evidence of cross-species transmission. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CMVs in this region are strictly host-specific, despite intensified sampling. The study suggests long-term co-divergence between CMVs and their hosts, though other evolutionary processes like lineage duplication may also play a role. Investigators used PCR targeting betaherpesviruses to detect CMV DNA in 17 of 87 primates across seven species, including sooty mangabeys, Campbell's monkeys, and Diana monkeys.

Anoh, A., Murthy, S., Akoua-Koffi, C., Couacy-Hymann, E., Leendertz, F., Calvignac-Spencer, S., & Ehlers, B. (2017). Cytomegaloviruses in a Community of Wild Nonhuman Primates in Taï National Park, Côte D’Ivoire. Viruses, 10(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/v10010011